Tasted on 10/7/14 with the Savages from a capped 750mL bottle sent to me as an awesome extra in a trade. Pours muddy brown orange with an average tan head that leaves thick lace. The nose is vinous, super sour, nice caramel malt, and super funky. The flavor is a bit maltier and oaky, with the sourness coming through a bit less vinous, but very balanced. The body is full with just under average carbonation and a long, nicely sour and caramel malt finish.

The body has a dark and murky appearance with a dark brownish burgundy color and some lighter reddish high lights. Near the edges of the glass there are some tine bubbles of carbonation. The head is a small, creamy off white layer of foam that slowly fades to just a small ring of tiny bubbles. Lacing is slick and minimal. Its aroma has nice tart fruit, funky earthy yeast notes with a hint of oak. The flavor starts with a semi-sweet malty base with a wonderfully complex mix of dry tart fruit, funky earthy east and wood. Some fruit notes that pop out are sour cherries, dry wine like grapes, and tart apple skins. All these flavors work in perfect harmony and its 11%abv is well hidden. It adds another layer of complexity and mellow warmth to the palate. It has a medium body with a silky light texture and soft carbonation.

750 ml bottle shared with the group. Pours a dark copper color with a medium sized beige head. The aroma and flavor is woody, dark fruits, tart, earthy, light funk, caramel with a touch of vinegar. This one seems to be doing pretty well unlike the 05.

happy accident. went to a friends place to drink a few beers and shoot the shit. he pulled this baby out! very murky, looks like coffee mixed with dr. pepper, but with floaties. this had just a great inviting sweet and sour nose. sweet fruit and the promise of tartness. rich full body with a bit more aggressive sour than i anticipated, but damn i liked it. spent a solid hour sipping this between other beers. definitely the highlight of the night.

Vintage 2006
Pours cherry red with hints of etches and a very clarified. Smell is initially inky, some acetone, some oak, some cocoa (oddly). Very rich flavor, cherries, raisins, malt, a little malt and some sweetness. Very warm, very robust. There is a hint of sherry. Thin with sharp, spicy carb and a little bit of off dry character. It’s alright, I wouldn’t buy a second bottle, but I’m told later vintages are better.

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